Tomas Soucek: Nothing is more important than the team, and we must ensure that the team always maintains a high level of morale.

After a 1-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, West Ham United's gap to safety widened to seven points. Following the match, Tomas Soucek admitted that the team would face a tough test in their fight to avoid relegation. The Czech midfielder returned to Nuno Espirito Santo's starting lineup for the first time since the 1-1 draw against Manchester United earlier this month, and played a crucial role in the opening goal when his header was inadvertently headed into his own net by Nottingham Forest defender Murillo.  

Riding a strong momentum, West Ham United appeared to extend their lead early in the second half. However, Cricenceo Somerwell's goal was disallowed after a VAR review determined that Tati Castellanos was offside when the attack was initiated.  

Following the decision, Nicolas Dominguez equalized for the away team with a header, but Morgan Gibbs-White converted a penalty late in the game, completely extinguishing the home team's hopes of gaining points and further widening the gap between the two sides in the standings. After the match, Tomas Soucek said, "This result is unacceptable. We all know the team's current situation, and the whole team went onto the field with the belief that we must win."  

"I thought the first half was particularly exciting. We were in good form, created several chances, and even scored a goal, showcasing our teamwork. The atmosphere was also very enthusiastic, so everyone was happy. Unfortunately, the second goal was disallowed, which was a test for us because we conceded a goal a few minutes later. I think that might really be the key turning point of the game. We conceded a goal quickly after that and ultimately lost 1-2. I simply can't believe we lost the game on penalties, and I feel really bad right now."  

Tomas Soucek, who has played for the club for nearly six years and captained the national team , says his leadership is crucial for West Ham to close the gap with 17th place in the coming weeks. The 30-year-old has a history of successfully avoiding relegation with West Ham, including in his first season with the club (2019/20). However, he remains keenly aware of the formidable task facing himself and his teammates this season.  

Finally, Tomas Soucek added: "It's very difficult for me because I always want to win, and if I don't, I'll be very bothered. But I want to be a leader and lead the team to keep improving. When I first joined the club, we were struggling to avoid relegation, and we eventually did, but this is the worst situation I've experienced here."  

"Now is the time for us to step up and fight back, because nobody wants to be relegated. We must fight to the last second and win the game as soon as possible. We also need to reflect on ourselves and strive to improve. No one is more important than the team, and we must ensure that the team maintains a strong fighting spirit."